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GARDNER -- Nashoba Regional senior Kyle Cloutier just missed out on a district title last week, finishing second in Central Mass,. but put together his most complete race of the season on Saturday, capturing sixth place at the Division 1 state championship and putting the finishing touches on an outstanding cross country career.

Cloutier was one of three locals to take part in the boys' race, while a trio of local girls also ran in Division 1. Both races took place at Gardner Municipal Golf Course.

Boys

Nashoba Regional

A fast start last week left Cloutier out of gas at the finish line, as he saw his lead evaporate with 40 meters to go. On Saturday, he used a more strategic start, which seemed to preserve his energy as he built toward the finish.

"I started off easier this time, and it really paid off in the end," Cloutier said. "I definitely ran my own race today, and it paid off. I let a lot of guys go out to fast, and over the course I was able to catch all of them."

The sixth-place finish was the best of Cloutier's career at the state championship. He posted a time of 16:15 on the 5K course, and only saw one Central Mass. participant finish ahead of him, as St. John's Patrick Craemer came in fifth.

"The team and I have been working hard these past four years," Cloutier said. "It's really great to come and kill it at states in my last cross country race in high school."

Classmate Ryan Gillooly -- who, like Cloutier, rose from being a young star to an elite runner -- finished in 29th place with a time of 16:56.

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Besides Cloutier and two runners from St. John's, Gillooly was the next-best runner in Central Mass., a tremendous accomplishment for his final race.

"I'm really happy with my performance," Gillooly said. "I got out pretty well, and it opened up and I was able to pick some people off in the end. It means a lot to end my career on a high note."

Both senior runners are quick to credit head coach Steve Beckwith for preparing them for these accomplishments, and setting them up for a lifetime of competitive running.

"This was by far my best performance at states," Cloutier said. "It's a credit to coach Beckwith, because his training programs over the last four years made us into the runners that we are."

North Middlesex

At the end of a fantastic running career, North Middlesex senior Mike Spooner ran into trouble he'd never felt before. Spooner, winded and ill, Spooner battled simply to make it across the finish line.

"Honestly, I didn't know if I was going to finish," Spooner said. "I felt like I was going to black out. I lost vision for a little bit, and my hands went numb. It just wasn't my day."

Instead of giving up, Spooner gutted it out, taking 101st out of 177 runners with a time of 17:50.

Saturday's frightening symptoms aside, it has been a great career that guided Spooner to the top role on the team, becoming one of the best runners in Central Massachusetts in the process.

"This year was his year to lead," North Middlesex head coach Suzanne Williams said. "He did that well. He led this team to do really great things, and we've had a lot of fun under his leadership. I couldn't have asked for a better season from him, even though sometimes things are outside of your control."

Girls

Nashoba

Nashoba Regional junior Emily Vivanco impressed on the big stage, taking 68th place with a time of 21:23 to finish in the top half of the highly competitive Division 1 girls' race. Vivanco found the performance satisfying, especially given the difficulty of what she said is the hardest course on which she has ever run.

"I was happy just to be coming to states," Vivanco said. "Given my training and where I am at this point in the season, I'm pretty happy with what I did. You always hope to do better, and hopefully I can do a little bit better if I am lucky enough to make it back here next year."

Chieftain star sophomore Alexandra Bettez had a frightening race. After entering as one of the favorites from Central Mass., Bettez pushed herself to the limits and collapsed.

Any outside assistance in getting up would result in a disqualification, so Bettez mustered the strength to get off the ground and finish in 103rd place out of 164 runners, with a time of 22:08. After collapsing again after the race, Bettez went to a local hospital to seek medical attention.

"She collapsed a couple times at the finish, and she wouldn't let me take her off of the course," Beckwith said. "She ran a tough race, and I'm really happy with how they ran this season."

Fitchburg

Fitchburg High junior Hannah Neilon shocked the field with a personal best last week to punch a ticket to states and knock out some highly talented runners in the process. Although Saturday's 145th-place finish and 23:12 time were slightly off from her peak of a week ago, Neilon is pleased with the benchmark she set for next year, and the potential of attracting college coaches' attention.

"I'm not too pleased with the time, but I was just so excited to qualify," Neilon said. "After racing today, I feel like I'll be better prepared for next year, and more competitive in this meet if I qualify again."

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